Bobcat sightings prompt safety reminder from Rye police
The Rye Police Department said it has received reports of bobcats in the area.
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Recent bobcat sightings in Rye have prompted police to remind residents how to safely respond if they encounter the wild animals.
The Rye Police Department said it has received reports of bobcats in the area.
Bobcats are native to New York and are generally secretive animals that are rarely seen, but they can occasionally appear in suburban neighborhoods.
If you encounter a bobcat, wildlife officials recommend:
• Keep your distance and do not approach or attempt to feed the animal.
• Make noise and slowly back away, giving the bobcat plenty of space to leave the area.
• Keep small pets indoors or properly restrained, particularly when wildlife has been observed nearby.
• Never attempt to capture, handle, or corner a bobcat.
Police noted that attacks on people are extremely rare and that sightings alone are generally not a cause for alarm.
Residents who see a bobcat are encouraged to report the sighting to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to help wildlife biologists track bobcat populations across the state.
